Brooder.



H. E. RINGLE.

BROODER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4. 1910.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

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Q WITNESSES lfi M H. E. RINGLE.

BROODER.

APPLICATION HLED OCT. 4, 1910. 1,1 34,229. Pat nt d Apr. 6,1915,

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H. E. RINGLE.

BROODER.

APPLICATlON FILED OCT. 4, I910.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

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[N VEN TOR rrsn s'ra'rns ra'ranr errron HENRY E. RINGLE, OF BRTEIVIEN, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO OLIVER E. DIE'IRICH, OF BREMEN, INDIANA.

BROODEB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

Application filed October 4, 1910. Serial No. 585,208.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY E. RINGLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bremen, in the county of Marshall and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brooders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to poultry breeders.

An important object of this invention is to provide a poultry brooder of such improved construction that chickens or other domestic fowls may be reared with small trouble and expense.

A further object of this invention is to provide a poultry brooder formed of readily separable parts, whereby the brooder may be easily and thoroughly cleaned.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus of the above character, which is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, and reliable in its operation.

Other objects and advantages of this in vention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the brooder, the'same being provided with the outdoor cover, Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through the same, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the brood-cover, and, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the brooder, employing an indoor cover, and the parts thereof being separated and disposed in proper positions to be assembled.

In the drawings, wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a preferably rectangular lamp-box or furnace, having a top 2 formed of sheet metal. The inner surfaces of the sides of the lamp-box 1 may be lined with a suitable fireproofing material, such as asbestos, as shown at 3 in Fig. 2. The forward side 4 of the lamp-box 1 is provided with an opening formed therethrough, as shown, which opening is normally closed by a vertically swinging door 5, having connections with the side 4 by means of hinges 6. This door has its lower edge terminating in a plane upwardly of the lower edge of the side 4, as shown, whereby an opening 7 is provided for the passage of air into the lamp-box to a lamp 8 disposed therein. This lamp is preferably arranged centrally of the lamp-box 1 and may be of any well known or preferred type. The forward side 4 may preferably be provided with openings 9 formed therethrough, for supplying air to the lamp. The lamp-box l is provided upon its longitudinal side opposite side 4, with a stack 9 for discharging the products of combustion given out from the lamp. A hotair space or chamber 10 is provided above the lamp-box 1, the sheet metal top 2 forming the bottom wall of the hot-air chamber. Strips 11 are suitably connected with the upper portion of the lamp-box 1 and form the side walls of the hot-air chamber 10. The transverse strips 11 are provided with openings 12 formed therethrough to admit of the passage of cold air into the hot-air chamber 10.

Disposed above the hot-air chamber 10, is a box-like structure 18, having a bottom 14 formed of wood or some other material winch is a relatively poor conductor of heat. This bottom 14 engages the strips 11 and equal portions of said bottom extend on either side beyond the transverse strips 11. Suitably secured to the lower surface of the bottom 14, are pairs of transverse spaced lugs 15, adapted to fit snugly between the transverse strips 11 and prevent the accidental displacement of the box structure 13 with relation to the lamp-box 1, yet permitting of the same being separated when desired. The box structure 13 has its forward side 16 removable, the same being slidablv mounted between spaced strips 17 suitably secured to the forward ends of end pieces 18. The forward side 16 is provided with spaced openings 19, which lead into compartments 20 formed by providing the box structure 13 with a central transverse partition 21. This transverse partition is preferably formed of metal and is removable from the box structure. The rear end of this partition is loosely mounted within a vertical groove 22 formed upon the inner surface of the rear side of said box structure and the forward end of this partition is loosely mounted within a vertical groove 22 upon the inner surface of the forward side 16 and midway of the ends thereof. The openings 19 are provided so that the chickens may enter or leave the compartments 20 and such openings are normally closed by doors 23. These doors are adapted to be opened by means of hinges 24. Each of the doors 23 may be retained in its open or elevated position by means of coiiperating hook andv eye members 25 and 26, respectively, which are suitably secured to said forwardside 16 and door. The bottom 14 is provided with suitably spaced openings 27 (see Fig. 2) within which are disposed the lower ends of vertical tubes or posts 28. As shown in Fig. 4, there is a group of these tubes within each of the compartments 20. An important function of these tubes'is to'conduct hot air from the chamber 10 into the upper portion of the compartment 20.

lVithin each of the compartments 20 is arranged a brood-cover 29, shown more clearly in Fig. 3. This brood-cover comprises an open rectangular frame 30 upon which is suitably mounted a section of transparent material 31. To the frame 30 is suitably secured side curtains 32, provided with vertical slits 33, whereby the chickens may easily pass into and out of the broodcover. The frame 30 is supported by me-. tallic legs 34 suitably connected to the corners thereof as shown. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the brood-cover 29 is disposed above the tubes 28. An important function of the brood-cover is to prevent the escape to a certain extent, of the hot air delivered from the tubes 28. The chickens in the compart ment 20, if becoming chilled therein, may go into the brood-cover where they will be warmed.

In order that the chickens may easily and safely enter the compartments 20 through the openings 19, an inclined platform 35 is provided, having its inner edge beveled as shown at 36 in Fig. 2. This platform is detachably connected with the box structure 13, by means of hook and eye members 37 and 38, secured respectively, to said box structure 13 and platform 35. As illustrated in'Fig. 4, an indoor cover 39 is provided for the box structure 13, which cover comprises an open rectangular frame 40 divided by a central transverse partition 41 into compartments corresponding to the compartments 20. The rectangular frame 40 has suitably secured thereto sections of wire gauze 42 or the like. Any suitable means may be employed for detachably holding the cover 39 upon the box structure 13.

When the brooder is used out of doors,

the cover 39 may be dispensed with, and an outdoor cover 43 employed in its place. This outdoor cover comprises approximately segmental-shaped end pieces 44 having their rear ends connected by a longitudinally disposed strip 45 and their forward ends connected by an open frame-work 46. The openings of this frame-work are covered by sections of wire gauze 47. The lower portion of this outdoor cover is provided with a rectangular'flange 48 adapted to snugly receive the upper end of the box structure 13. Corresponding ends of the outdoor cover 43 and the box structure 13 are provided respectively with cooperating hook and eye members 49 and 50, which detachably secure said outdoor cover to said box structure. The cover 43 further comprises a normally inclined lid 51,having a sheet metal cover 52 arranged upon the outer side thereof. This lid 51 is hinged to the framework 46, as shown at 53. From the description of the above referred to parts, it is obvious that this lid may be swung upwardly whereby access may be had'to the interior of the compartments 20. An awning 54 has its upper longitudinal edge suitably secured to the upper portion of the framework 46 and has its lower longitudinal edge suitably secured to a cylindrical rod 55.

Each of the end pieces 44 is provided with a pivoted socket-member 56 through which is longitudinally adjustably mounted a support-rod 57 having its outer end looped for end of the rod 55. The socket-member 56 V carries a clamping nut 58, whereby the supforming a socket for rotatably holding one frame-work 46, and also to prevent the entrance of rain into said compartments.

In the use of the chicken brooder I cover the bottom 14' with sand, which I find prevents the heat of said bottom from causing disease among the chickens. Special attention is called to the fact thatthe lamp-box 1,

the box structure 13,1 and the cover are readily separable, which permits of these parts being cleaned or repaired., It is also worthy of note that a decided advantage is gained in having the forward side 16 removable, which permits of a thorough and easy cleansing of the walls" of the compartments 20.

I wish it understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described, is

to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that certain changes in the shape, 7

size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claim. 1

Having thus fully described'my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a chicken brooder of the character described, the combination with a lamp box, of

a section of sheet metal attached to the upper portion of the lamp box at a point near 1 and spaced from the upper end thereof for providlng above the section of sheet'metal a hot air chamber having air inlets, a boxstructure to be mounted upon the upper end of the lamp box and longer than the same to extend beyond the lamp box at both ends for equal substantial distances, a central transverse partition dividing the box-structure into two compartments, hot air inlets leading into the compartments and passing through the bottom of the box-structure and having communication with the hot air chamber, and transverse strips secured to the lower surface of the box-structure in parallel spaced relation to removably enter the hot air chamber and engage with their sides, the inner walls of the transverse portions of the lamp box and with their ends the longitudinal portions of the lamp box, whereby the box-structure is held against improper longitudinal and lateral movements with relation to the lamp box but may be readily separated therefrom by upward movement with relation thereto.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY E. RINGLE.

Witnesses:

C. C. YooKEY, O. E. DIETRICH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

